Presidency

[edit] Accession

[edit] Outlawing Communism

After much discussion, both official and public, the Congress of the Philippines, finally, approved a bill outlawing the Communist Party of the Philippines. Despite the pressure exerted against the congressional measure, President Carlos P. Garcia signed the said bill into law as Republic Act No. 1700 on June 19, 1957.[4][3] With this legislative piece, the sustained government campaign for peace and order achieved considerable progress and success.[3] Republic Act No. 1700 was superseded by Presidential Decree No. 885, entitled "Outlawing Subversive Organization, Penalizing Membership Therein and For Other Purposes." In turn, Presidential Decree 885 was amended by Presidential Decree No. 1736, and later superseded by Presidential Decree No. 1835, entitled, "Codifying The Various Laws on Anti-Subversion and Increasing the Penalties for Membership in Subversive Organization." This, in turn, was amended by Presidential Decree No. 1975. On May 5, 1987, Executive Order No. 167 repealed Presidential Decrees Nos. 1835 and 1975 as being unduly restrictive of the constitutional right to form associations.[5] On September 22, 1992, Republic Act No. 1700, as amended, was repealed by Republic Act No. 7636.[6]

[edit] Filipino First Policy

President Garca exercised the Filipino First Policy, for which he was known. This policy heavily favored Filipino businessmen over foreign investors. He was also responsible for changes in retail trade which greatly affected the Chinese businessmen in the country. In a speech during a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives on September 18, 1946, President Garcia said the following: We are called upon to decide on this momentous debate whether or not this land of ours will remain the cradle and grave, the womb and tomb of our race the only place where we can build our homes, our temples, and our altars and where we erect the castles of our racial hopes, dreams and traditions and where we establish the warehouse of our happiness and prosperity, of our joys and sorrows.[7]

[edit] Austerity Program

In the face of the trying conditions of the country, President Garcia initiated what has been called "The Austerity Program". Garca's administration was characterized by its austerity program and its insistence on a comprehensive nationalist policy. On March 3, 1960, he affirmed the need for complete economic freedom and added that the government no longer would tolerate the dominance of foreign interests (especially American) in the national economy. He promised to shake off "the yoke of alien domination in business, trade, commerce and industry." Garca was also credited with his role in reviving Filipino cultural arts.[2] The main points of the Austerity Program were[3]: 1. The government would tighten up its controls to prevent abuses in the over shipment of exports under license and in under-pricing as well. 2. There would be a more rigid enforcement of the existing regulations on barter shipments. 3. Government imports themselves were to be restricted to essential items. 4. The government also would reduce rice imports to a minimum. 5. An overhauling of the local transportation system would be attempted so as to reduce the importation of gasoline and spare parts. 6. The tax system would be revised so as to attain more equitable distribution of the payment-burden and achieve more effective collection from those with ability to pay. 7. There would be an intensification of food production. The program was hailed[3] by the people at large and confidence was expressed that the measures proposed would help solve the standing problems of the Republic.[3]

[edit] BohlenSerrano Agreement

During his administration, he acted on the BohlenSerrano Agreement which shortened the lease of the US Bases from 99 years to 25 years and made it renewable after every five years.

[edit] 1961 Presidential Election

Main article: Philippine presidential election, 1961 At the end of his second term, he ran for reelection in the Presidential elections in November 1961, but was defeated by Diosdado Macapagal,Vice-President under him, but belonged to the opposing Liberal Party in the Philippines the President and the Vice-President are elected separately.

Carlos P. Garcia (1957-1961)

CONDITION OF THE PHILIPPINES The Philippines agreed to numerous conditions set by the United States as a requirement for the Philippines to receive war reconstruction assistance. The flow of imports had greatly increased making the Philippines heavily dependent of imported products. Imports coming from the United States were also allowed to enter the country without tariffs, the Philippines also promised not to change its exchange rate from $1 is to P2. The condition of the Philippines before the administration of Garcia was the Philippines is just recovering from the after effects of World War 2, with this the Philippines experienced several economic challenges. PRIMARY PROBLEMS The main problem that was facing the Garcia administration was the current economic situation during that time. Corruption was also prevalent in the country since he had just inherited the Magsaysay administration. Several cases of corruption were found within the government offices during his administration. The imports that were coming in the country greatly outnumbered the exports that we were shipping out of the country, making the Philippines highly dependent on foreign products that required dollars to purchase. PROMISES DURING THE ELECTIONS AND INAUGURATION reorienting our national economic policies toward doing first things first must first produce here, by and for ourselves, enough to provide for the fundamental needs of life food, shelter and clothing step up the tempo of establishing the agricultural industries to utilize with the least delay the abundant natural resources

 to generate here the machinery for the entire Philippine agro-industrial structure The Government will continue its low-cost housing projects and its land redistribution and resettlement program we shall pursue our health development activities especially in the barrios and other rural areas The education of our youth should henceforth lay emphasis on science, industrial, and agricultural technology. Together with the increasing material abundance, we need to strengthen our moral fiber LAWS AND PROGRAMS Filipino First Policy This is the law that was passed by the Garcia administration, to give local businessmen more priority over foreign investors. The government sector would help local businessmen are entering industry that was filled with foreign competitors and give them aid and sometimes financial assistance. Products of Filipino businessmen were also preferred over foreign products. BohlenSerrano Agreement The Bohlen-Serrano Agreement was the law that shortened the original 99 year lease of US bases here in the Philippines to 25 years, the agreement was renewable for periods only up to 5 years. Austerity Program The Austerity Program was implemented by Garcia in order to curt the rampant graft and corruption within the country. The program centered on wise spending, industry, thrift, trustworthiness, integrity and honesty. He also urged people to avoid luxury items and to live a simple life and reminded government officials and employees corruption destroys the peoples trust in the government. Republic Cultural Awards The Garcia administration also put emphasis on cultural revival, due to the colonization of many countries he felt that the revival of the Filipino culture was needed. The award was given to Filipino artists, scientist, historians and writers. BENEFICIARIES OF THE LAWS AND PROGRAMS Filipino First Policy The people that benefitted from this policy are the businessmen of the Philippines, they had an increase support and protection from the government. This enabled them to help improve our economy at that time. Foreign investors were not totally ignored they could still participate in investing in businesses in the country but there should be a 60-40 ratio of ownership within the business. Austerity Program The austerity program benefited the common Filipino and the Garcia administration, because of the implementation of this program the government was able to regain some of the trust that they lost due to the rampant corruption in the country. While the Filipinos were able to once again trust the government. Republic Cultural Awards Filipino artist could now get the recognition for their works that were left ignored. The main focus of the society at the time was improving the economy.

HOLES AND SHORTCOMINGS OF THE LAWS Filipino First Policy The policy centered on the economic progress that the masa was not affected at all by this. This led to much criticism about his concern for the common Filipino. Austerity Program Even though the Austerity Program was launched in order to help eliminate the corruption within the government. The result was very unsuccessful since the problem carried over to the next administration. ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES Garcia was criticized by foreign countries, especially the United States for his anti-foreign policies. There was also corruption withing the Bureau of Internal Revenue in which he had the implement the Austerity Program. SUMMARY OF GOVERNANCE The focus of the Garcia administration focused on economic independence from foreign interest. Garcia wanted the Philippines to be an industrialized, self sustaining country that would not have to heavily rely on the products of foreign companies. Garcia also tried implanting his Austerity Program in hopes of eliminating corruption in his administration all the while bolstering moral fiber to the government leaders and employees. At the end of his term Garcia was criticized for his lack of program for the Filipino common man which was the focus of the next president Macapagal that is why he lost the election to him. GRADE (DLSU SYSTEM) We gave President Carlos Garcia a 3.5 because we believe that he was able to accomplish something most of the presidents failed to do. He helped the Philippines rise from being a victim of war to a self-sustaining country that was considered one of the richest countries during his time. During his administration the Philippines was one of the innovators of South East Asia. He promoted the reliance of our own product and at the same time promoted our products in the global competition. He also had the Austerity Program even though it failed. It still showed how much he really wanted to improve the lives of the Filipinos.